111.  Library 

51 

1 


Wi,  Lie  Ixivie  iReu-, 
4eLuU--eA/ecL  e.ie 


oduH>'(i, 


ib-CKieA/ 


lviL.^-&  • vhLofA 


iAAyS/^Mrjii  -cwi'  fierj-. 

CvfieaLeA.,  ii-eo.  /, 


f883 


ON  THE  LATE 


i'.  (Ifdiiiin  S.  35oti!i'r,  ® .1., 


John  C.  Baldwin  Professor  of  Theology,  Professor  of  the  Connection  between  Science 
and  Religion,  and  Dean  of  Lincoln  University. 


PUniiiD  Lilm 


OK- 


0 

«-  0^  ^ 00 


I 

j^ecemfeer  ! 


Pastor  of  the  Metropolitan  Presbyterian  Church  of  Washington,  D.  C. 


EULOGY. 


— — 

A life  can  never  be  rightly  estimated  until  it  is  ended.  Thus  judged, 
some  lives,  which  in  their  progress  attracted  applause,  dwiudle  into  insignifi- 
cance, while  others  which  carefully  avoided  display,  rise  into  magnificent 
proportions.  This  is,  therefore,  a crucial  test,  yet  one  wlych  we  propose  now 
to  apply  to  the  character  and  life  work  of  Kev.  Dr.  Bower.  It  is  perhaps 
better  that  this  eulogy,  delivered  at  your  request,  should  have  been  delayed 
for  some  months  after  his  departure  from  earth.  It  is  not  now  affected  by 
the  shock  of  death,  which  sometimes  warps  our  judgment  and  makes  the 
flood  of  tears  wash  away  for  the  time  the  memory  of  derelictions.  Bur  in 
this  case  judgment  has  had  time  to  review  calmly  the  life  and  character,  and 
we  believe  that  this  has  only  strengthened  your  appreciation  of  his  worth  and 
deepened  the  sense  of  his  loss  to  this  University.  As  the  relation  which  most 
of  you  held  to  Dr.  Bower  was  that  of  pupils,  it  seems  appropriate  to  study 
his  success  chiefly  as  an  instructor.  But  in  this  case  the  teacher  was  the  per- 
sonal friend  of  the  scholar,  and  underlying  these  relations  was  the  character 
of  the  man,  so  pure,  so  true,  so  disinterested,  so  noble  ; and  still  underlying 
this  the  motive  of  love  to  Christ,  and  the  desire  to  glorify  Him  as  His  ser- 
vant, steward,  and  ambassador  from  Cod  to  man.  In  all  these  relations  a re- 
view of  his  character  will  make  us  echo  the  encomium  he  has  doubtless 
already  received  from  the  Master— “Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.” 

Edwin  Rea  Bower  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Penna.,  on  the  5th  of 
September,  1826.  His  father  was  Jacob  Bower,  a teacher  in  Strasburg, 
Penna.,  and  for  several  years  an  Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that 
place.  His  mother,  Annie  Rea  Bower,  was  also  a devoted  Christian,  and 
both  parents  at  the  time  of  their  son’s  baptism  solemnly  consecrated  him  to 
the  gospel  ministry  ; saying  in  the  spirit  of  Hannah  ; “As  long  as  he  liveth 
he  shall  be  lent  to  the  Lord.”  Their  faith  did  not  go  unrewarded,  though 
“The  trial  of  it  had  to  work  patience,”  for  their  son  in  his  childhood  evinced 
little  aptitude  for  learning,  and  at  first  entered  mercantile  life.  But  when 
Cod’s  call  to  the  ministry  came  he  gave  up  the  prospfect  of  earthly  gain  then 
opening  up,  and  devoted  his  whole  effort  to  preparing  for  preaching  the  gos- 
pel of  his  Saviour.  He  then  taught  in  the  academy  at  Strasburg  and  studied 
for  college  under  Rev.  James  Mackey,  afterwards  a missionary  to  Africa. 
He  entered  the  second  term  of  the  Sophomore  Class  in  the  College  of  New 
Jersey  at  Princeton  in  1849,  and  graduated  in  1851,  taking  the  first  honor  in 
his  class.  After  graduating  at  college  he  taught  the  Parochial  School  in  Cran- 
bury,  N.  J.,  for  one  year,  and  in  1852  entered  the  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  from  which|he  graduated  in  1855.  How  conscientiously  he  perform- 
ed his  duties  and  improved  his  opportunities  while  in  the  Seminary  was 
shown  by  that  systematic  knowledge  of  theology  which  made  him  so  able  a 
preacher  and  teacher.  During  1855  he  acted  as  T utor  of  Mathematics  in  the 
College  of  New  Jersey.  At  that  time  a fire  occurred  in  the  college  build, 
ing,  (“Old  North,”)  where  he  roomed,  by  which  disaster  he  not  only  lost  his 
clothing  and  library,  but  also  all  his  notes  on  theological  lectures,  the  ser- 


4 • 

inoiis  he  had  prepared,  and  Ids  “trial  pieces”  for  Presbytery.  As  his  exami- 
nation for  lioynsnre  was  .soon  to  occur,  such  a loss  placed  him  in  a difficult  po- 
sition, but  with  his  accustomed  euer<;y  in  a short  time  he  prepared  other 
trial  pieces,  and  passed  a successful  examination  before  the  Presbytery  of 
Donegal,  by  which  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  "ospel,  on  the  third  of  July, 
1855  Soon  after  he  received  two  calls,  one  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Springfield,  Ohio  ; the  other  to  Wappinjier’s  Falls,  N.  Y.  The  latter  he  ac- 
cepted, and  ‘iave  as  his  leason  for  declining  the  first  “That  he  was  too  young 
in  the  ministry  to  take  care  of  so  large  a church.”  Ilis  wise  modesty  did  not 
go  unrewarded.  One  of  the  Elders  of  the  Springfield  church  said  ; “If  we 
want  another  ndnister  we  will  send  for  that  young  man,”  and  they  did  send 
for  him  at  their  next  vacancy.  Having  accepted  the  call  to  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Wappinger’s  Falls,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  North 
River  and  installed  on  the  30th  of  October,  1855.  On  the  first  of  August  of 
that  year  he  had  been  married  to  Sarali  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  James  Clark, 
of  Cranbury,  N.  J.  ; a union  which  continued  until  his  death,  and  which 
gave  him  a partner  whose  love,  sympathy  and  help  centered  largely  into  his 
own  success. 

After  a n)inistry  of  six  years  at  Wappinger’s  Falls,  he  received  a call  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  Springfield,  Ohio,  which 
was  accepted.  So  loathe  was  his  former  charge  to  part  with  him,  that  after 
his  settlement  in  Springfield  he  received  an  invitation  from  Wappinger’s 
Falls  to  return.  This  was  repeated  during  his  first  year  at  Lincoln,  and  after 
his  death  his  family  learned  that  the  church  was  still  planning  to  call  him 
again.  About  the  time  of  his  starting  for  Springfield  the  first  shot  was  fired 
at  Sumpter,  and  the  journey  to  his  new  home  was  made  amid  the  excitement 
of  the  transportation  of  troops  and  the  sending  by  the  families  of  his  new 
charge  of  their  sons  to  the  war.  lie  and  his  family  entered  at  once  into  active 
work  for  the  soldiers,  indeed  he  became  one  himself,  for  at  the  time  of 
“Morgan’s  raid,”  southern  Ohio  being  threatened,  the  militia  were  called  out; 
from  this  call  no  profession  was  exempt;  he  drilled  for  several  days  with  the 
troops  and  at  last  was  ordered  to  Columbus,  but  word  coming  from  that  city 
that  they  had  sufficient  troops,  the  order  was  countermanded.  In  November, 
1864,  he  volunteered  his  services  in  the  Christian  commission;  he  was  accepted 
and  sent  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  present  at  two  battles  which  took 
place  between  the  forces  under  Generals  Hood  and  Thomas.  In  a letter  dated 
Dec.  6,  1864,  written  from  Nashville,  he  thus  speaks  of  a service  held  on  the 
day  of  one  of  these  engagements  : — “In  the  afternoon  I went  out  to  the  lines 
and  preached  to  the  Fifth  Tennessee  Regiment.  I shall  never  forget  that 
service.  We  assembled  just  along  the  intrench ments  where  the  men  were 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle;  at  the  left  of  us,  on  a high  eminence,  about  three 
hundred  yards  distant,  was  Fort  Argley;  every  few  moments  the  large  can- 
lions  would  belch  forth  their  thunder;  away  to  the  right  of  us  also,  the  can- 
nons were  firing,  and  all  around  was  the  noise  and  confusion  of  an  immense 
army.  Nevertheless  the  men  gathered  round  us,  and  never  have  I preached 
to  a more  attentive  audience.  God  grant  that  I may  have  done  some  good.” 

These  services  for  his  country  did  not  interfere  with  those  to  his  church. 
He  had,  before  starting  for  his  service  in  the  Christian  Commission,  gotten 
his  church  at  Springfield  into  excellent  working  order,  and  he  returned  to 
take  up  the  pastoral  duties  with  renewed  vigor.  How'  well  he  succeeded,  is 
shown  by  the  flourishing  comlition  of  that  church  under  his  ministry,  by  the 
members  added  to  it  and  by  the  loving  remembrance  with  which  its  members 


o 

followed  liini  to  the  day  of  his  deatli;  yea,  even  after  his  death,  they  unitetl 
with  the  church  at  Chester,  Pa.,  and  others,  in  a substantial  tribute  to  his 
memory. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  his  successful  work  at  Sprinjifield,  that  he  received 
notice  that  the  Board  of  Trusteesof  Lincoln  University  had  elected  him  to  the 
new  chair  of  Theoloory,  This  occurred  in  June,  lS(i7.  This  call  was  entirely 
unsought;  indeed,'  when  in  the  previous  year  he  received  a letter  from  his 
former  colleae-mate,  Rev.  Dr.  Rendall,  asking  if  lie  woi\id  consider  favorably 
a proposition  to  become  professor,  Dr.  Bower  replied  tliat  he  could  not,  and 
added — ‘*1  would  never  leave  tin*  pastorate  for  a college  professorship.  If  I 
ever  become  a professor  it  would  be  to  prepare  young  men  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel.” When  the  formal  call  came,  he  visited  Lincoln  and  returned  to  Spring- 
field  with  scarcely  a thought  of  accepting  the  position;  luit,  what  was  char- 
acteristic of  his  whole  life,  he  ‘‘committed  his  way  unto  the  Lord:’”  One 
thing  after  another  pointed  unmistakably  to  his  duty  of  going  to  Lincoln; 
and  therefore,  notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  his  attached  people  at 
Springfield  and  the  rendering  of  many  pleasant  ties  of  acquaintance,  he  arose 
and  came  to  Lincoln. 

It  may  be  well  to  pause  here  and  consider  tb,  appearance  at  that  time  of 
the  field  to  which  he  was  about  to  devote  his  future  life  work.  Lincoln 
University  presented  in  1807  a very  different  appearance  than  it  loes  to  day: 
Now,  there  stands  on  this  site  a group  of  beautiful  buildings— Ash- 
mun,  Lincoln,  Cresson,  University,  Houston  and  Livingstone  halls;  (what 
glorious  memories  and  generous  benefactions  are  linked  with  each  of  those 
names  !)  Around  these  are  grouped  many  comfortable  homes  for  the  profes- 
sors, and  this  beautiful  chapel,  the  excellejit  library,  the  convenient  dormi- 
tories, well  befitting  a university  which  takes  rank  with  the  best  in  our  land. 

Now,  six  professorships  are  endowed,  a faculty  of  able  men  attend  to  the 
ditferent  departments  of  instruction,  while  a substantial  board  of  trustees, 
aided  by  active  financial  agents,  a«lminister  wisely  and  successfully  its 
pecuniary  affairs,  and  a large  number  of  young  men,  gathered  from  two 
continents,  (America  and  Africa,)  compose  its  noble  band  of  students.  Far 
different  was  the  aspect  of  affairs  when  Dr.  Bower  was  invited  hither.  It  is 
true,  noble  men  had  already  tried  and  sacrificed  in  laying  the  foundations  of 
this  institution,  “of  whom  the  greater  part  remain  unto  this  present,  but  some 
have  fallen  asleep.”  Yet  Lincoln  was  comparatively  in  its  incipient  stage  of 
development.  There  were  but  two  college  building.s,  which  contained  the 
recitation,  sleeping  and  eating  rooms  of  the  .students.  The  president  occu- 
pied as  his  dwelling  what  is  now  part  of  Cresson  hall;  besides  this,  a single 
brick  and  a poor  wooden  structure  represented  the  hou.ses  for  professors. 
There  were  but  two  professors  in  the  faculty,  a sjnall  numl)er  of  students  and 
at  that  time  the  theological  department  was  not  distinctively  organized. 

The  question  presented  to  Dr.  Bower  was  then  practically  this  : Should 
he  leave  a strong  church,  situated  in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  of  the 
West,  well  organized,  with  prospects  of  yet  greater  growth,  wdth  a comfor- 
table support  for  himself,  with  opportunities  for  personal  distinction  ; should 
he  exchange  all  this  for  a work  which  was  yet  in  a formative  condition,  for  a 
meagre  salary,  for  what  many  regarded  as  a doubtful  experiment  ? This 
question  he  answered  in  the  affirmative.  First,  because  in  his  call  to  Lin- 
coln he  recognized  the  voice  of  God.  Second,  because  Ids  heart  was  in  full 
sympathy  with  the  work.  Third,  because  with  what  1 may  term  an  inspired 
foresight,  he  saw'  the  sure  and  glorious  outcome  of  the  work.  One  thing  his 


1 

! T) 

j faith  never  failed  in— the  grand  future  of  Lincoln  University.  How  often 
have  I heard  liiin  speak  of  it  in  terms  of  glowing  anticipation  ! No  hour  of 
i financial  pressure  could  come  to  it  l)ut  he  saw  a light  ahead.  No  appearance 

I of  a desert  could  it  wear  hut  beyond  came  to  his  vision  its  “blossoming  as 

! the  rose,”  It  was  not  the  faith  of  a self-interesteil  party,  but  that  of  a Chris- 

! tian  man  wlu)  believed  that  Lincoln  University  was  the  cause  of  Christ.  It 

j was  not  the  zeal  of  a devotee  to  a favorite  cause  ; it  was  ratlier  the  wisdom 

j of  a philanthropist  who  realized  that  here  was  a work  having  important  rela- 

tions to  the  church,  to  the  country,  yea  to  humanity  at  large.  It  was  not  a 
sense  of  stern  duty  which  drove  him  hither  : it  was  love  for  the  work  ; inter- 
I est  in  the  welfare  of  the  young  men  to  be  here  educated,  which  attracted  him* 
Fie  realized  that  this  was  not  only  his  mission,  but  also  his  high  calling. 
Commencing  his  work  with  such  a spirit  it  is  not  surprising  that  he  was  a 
succe.ss  himself  and  lived  to  see  this  University  become  a success.  I would 
not  be  understood  as  meaning  that  he  was  the  sole  cause  of  that  success, 

I 'I'he  success  of  such  an  institution  as  this  depends  equally  on  all  its  instruc* 

j tors,  trustees  and  benefactors.  They  too  have  been  actuated  by  the  same  noble 

I motives,  and  have  always  evinced  the  same  spirit  of  self-sacrifice.  A member 

of  Dr.  Bower’s  family  (to  whom  I am  indebted  for  many  of  the  above  mention- 
ed facts),  .says  on  this  point  : “I  want  it  distinctly  understood  that  whatever 
hardships  assailed  Dr.  Bower  and  family,  they  did  not  equal  those  endured 
by  Dr.  Rendall  and  Ih'of.  VVestcott.  They  were  the  true  pioneers  of  this 
work,  ami  nobly  did  they  do  it.  One  has  received  his  full  reward,  and  upon 
the  other  still  re.sts  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day.”  The  same  lady  adds  : 
“The  countless  words  of  cheer  and  encouragement,  the  countless  acts  of 
thoughtful  kindness  with  which  Dr.  Dickey  and  Dr.  Rendall  helped  Dr, 
Bower,  when  even  Ids  strong  hope  sometimes  failed,  cannot  be  too  thankful- 
ly remembered.” 

But  to  return  to  the  details  of  Dr.  Bower’s  work  in  this  University.  One 
thing  must  impress  every  one  acquainted  therewith  ; namely,  the  versatility 
of  his  usefulness.  It  is  surprising  how  many  duties  he  performed,  and  how 
many  places  he  filled.  In  the  Theological  Department  he  was  Professor  of 
Thqology  and  Dean  of  that  Faculty.  In  the  Collegiate  Department  he  was 
Professor  of  the  Connection  between  Science  and  Religion  and  Dean  of  the 
Faculty  of  Arts.  As  the  classes  gradually  took  their  permanent  place  in  the 
three  departments.  Dr  Bower’s  work  fell  mainly  in  the  Theological  Depart- 
ment ; but  he  also  taught  the  following  in  the  college  : the  Bible— to  the 
Sophomores  ; Butler’s  Analogy,  Paley’s  Natural  Theology  and  Astronomy— 
to  the  Seniors,  After  his  death  we  learned  that  he  had  planned  to  give  extra 
lessons  in  Astronomy  to  the  Sophomore  Class,  as  preparatory  to  their  Senior 
course.  Before  the  election  of  a Professor  of  Greek  (Dr.  Woodhull)  he 
taught  Greek.  In  the  Theological  Department  he  taught  besides  Theology 
and  the  Catechism,  Church  History.  He  taught  well  and  thoroughly,  for 
however  great  were  his  capacities  as  a Pastor  and  Preacher,  his  main  forte 
was  undoubtedly  that  of  a Teacher.  One  of  the  most  illustrious  graduates  of 
this  University  in  spt'aking  of  Dr  Bower,  lately  said  to  me  : “Why  he  was  a 
born  teacher  ; for  he  was  so  clear  in  his  definitions,  so  lucid  in  his  arguments 
that  he  could  instruct  the  dullest  mind  ; he  had  also  such  versatility  of  teach- 
ing ability.  There  was  not  a branch  of  study  but  which,  if  the  Professor 
was  absent,  Dr.  Bower  could  teach.  He  thus,  at  times,  taught  in  almost  all 
the  University’s  curriculum.”  This  testimony  is  valuable,  as  it  comes  from 
one  who  well  illustrates  the  benefits  received  from  the  instruction  in  this 


7 

University.  Besides  these  professional  duties  Dr.  Bow'er  attended  toothers 
connected  witli  the  interests  of  this  Institution.  He  was  Secretary  of  tlie 
Board  of  Trustees  and  Clerk  of  the  Faculty.  While  he  was  not  Treasurer  of 
the  Faculty  in  name,  he  did  all  the  Treasurer’s  work  for  eleven  years  without 
one  cent  of  compensation  The  general  accounts  of  the  students,  their  indi- 
dividual  accounts,  even  to  the  payment  of  their  wash  bills,  he  alsf)  attended 
to.  He  corresponded  wdth  young  men  inquiring  about  terms  of  admittance  ; 
raised  much  money  to  aid  them  in  their  studies,  and  even  after  their  gradua- 
tion followed  them  with  letters  of  wise  counsels  as  to  their  future  lifework  ; 
also  corresponded  largely  in  their  interests  with  the  Presbyterian  Board  of 
Education. 

During  his  first  winter  at  Lincoln  Dr.  Bower  recognized  the  advantage  of 
dividing  the  one  existing  Literary  Society.  As  the  members  of  the  new  so- 
ciety came  to  him  for  advice  and  help  relating  to  its  organization,  he  was 
henceforth  known  as  the  founder  of  the  Philosophian  Society.  Often  during 
the  absence  of  the  President  he  had  the  entire  peisonal  supervision  of  the 
students.  At  such  times  he  never  missed  “chapel  prayers”  morning  (U’  eve- 
ning ; also  spent  hours  of  the  day  at  the  buildings  arranging  for  the  comfort 
of  the  students.  Sometimes  after  such  a visit  he  would  return,  his  face  full 

of  concern  and  anxiety,  and  exclaim  : “Just  think  of  it, has  no  flannels  ! 

He  is  a first-rate  fellow  ; something  must  be  done  at  once.”  It  was  the  ap- 
preciation of  this  interest  in  them  that  made  the  students  resort  to  him  con- 
tinually as  their  adviser  and  helper,  and  he  always  had  a spare  moment  for 
them.  Even  when  through  pressure  of  official  duties  he  was  compelled  to 
send  word  to  the  study  door  that  he  could  not  be  seen,  he  was  more  than 
likely  to  go  to  the  front  door  “to  see  what  the  boy  wanted  ” Nor  did  this 
untiring  interest  in  their  welfare  go  unappreciated  ; it  evoked  from  his  stu- 
dents undying  affection.  I was  present  at  his  funeral  services  in  this  chapel 
on  the  10th  of  April,  1883,  where  was  gathered  a vast  assembly,  comprising 
the  Faculty  and  Boards  of  this  University  ; the  representatives  of  the  Presby- 
tery with  which  he  was  last  connected,  and  that  in  which  he  was  licensed  ; 
clergymen  from  distant  cities  ; friends  from  the  surrounding  country  ; all  of 
whom  came  to  pay  him  their  tribute  of  love  and  esteem.  As  I listened  to  tlie 
beautiful  and  just  tributes  of  respect  rendered  to  his  memory  by  the  repre- 
sentatives of  this  University  and  other  distinguished  speakers,  as  there  fell 
upon  my  ear  the  sobs  of  family,  students  and  attendants,  I thought,  here  is 
indeed  a testimonial  to  the  character  and  work  of  Dr.  Bower.  But  after  the 
services  in  this  chapel  there  occurred  an  incident  which  spoke  more  eloquent- 
ly than  words,  of  the  love  which  he  had  won.  As  the  funeral  procession 
wended  its  way  over  the  many  miles  which  stretch  between  this  chapel  and 
the  cemetery  in  which  he  was  to  be  buried,  at  the  head  of  that  procession 
walked,  every  one  of  those  long  and  wearied  miles  (going  and  returning 
seven  miles  in  all)  the  students  of  this  University.  I learned  that  this  was 
done  by  the  free  choice  of  the  students.  They  had  asked  as  a privilege  that 
they  might  thus  show  their  respect  for  their  beloved  Professor.  I do  not 
know  which  this  incident  reflects  most  praise  upon  ; the  man  they  honored 
or  the  men  who  thus  honored  the  man.  But  this  I do  know,  that  many  a 
king,  though  borne  to  his  mausoleum  with  all  the  pageantry  that  an  empire 
could  command,  yet  received  no  such  tribute  of  loving  respect  as  attended 
the  funeral  of  this  man  of  God. 

Though  Dr.  Bower  attended  punctually  to  his  duties  here,  yet  he  found 
time  to  preach  continually  in  the  neighborhood  and  even  in  distant  cities.  He 


8 

had  been  preaching?  some  time  at  Chester  wlien  a colony,  known  as  “The 
Third  Church,”  was  formed  ; Dr.  Bower  orjjanized  this  new  church.  He 
was  immediately  invited  to  accept  a call,  and  in  spite  of  his  declinature  was 
asked  to  occupy  their  pulpit  rej^ularly,  which  he  did  ; j*oin"  to  Chester  late 
Saturday  night  and  returning  early  Monday  morning.  Before  they  called 
their  first  pastor.  Dr.  Bower  was  again  pressed  to  accept  that  position  ; but 
finding  him  firm  in  his  former  intention,  the  church  united  on  Rev.  C.  F. 
Thomas.  In  1878,  after  Mr.  Thomas  left,  the  Third  Church  made  out  a regu- 
lar call  and  presented  it  at  the  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery.  The  pressure 
biought  to  bear  was  very  great.  A wide  field  of  usefulness  was  opened  up 
in  the  very  direction  he  most  loved,  the  pastorate.  The  people  of  Chester 
were  already  endeared  to  him  by  long  and  familiar  association.  On  the  one 
hand,  the  Chester  church  prayed  that  Dr.  Bower  might  be  sent  to  them  ; on 
the  other,  the  students  prayed  that  their  beloved  Professor  might  remain. 
Dr.  Bower  prayed  only  for  guidance,  and  the  prayer  was  answered  in  deter- 
mining him  to  remain  at  Lincoln  ; a determination  that  he  never  afterwards 
regretted.  The  students  showed  their  joy  at  the  result  by  coming  over  to  his 
house  one  night  and  singing  a psalm  of  thanksgiving  under  his  window.  It 
was  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  Dr.  Bower  was  in  demand  by  our  churches, 
for  he  was  a very  acceptable  preacher.  He  had  the  faculty  of  both  pleasing 
and  edifying  his  hearers.  His  sermons  always  evinced  careful  preparation. 
Logical  in  their  construction,  they  were  not  heavy  ; dealing  with  the  grand 
truths  of  redemption,  they  were  not  tooobstruse  for  the  most  humble  hearer  ; 
delivered  with  impassioned  earnestness  they  engaged  the  attention  ; roused 
the  conscience  and  fed  the  soul.  There  was  too  about  Dr.  Bower  such  a holy 
devout  sanctity  that  you  felt  yourselves  to  be  listening  to  indeed  “a  man  of 
God.”  Many  of  the  students  of  this  University  traced  their  conversion  to  his 
discourses  and  addresses,  and  many  were  led  to  consecrate  themselves  to  the 
ministry  by  the  same  instrumentality.  His  favorite  themes  wore  : “The 
Love  of  God  in  Christ,”  as  a motive  to  repentance  ; and  “A  Higher  Conse- 
cration to  Christ,”  as  the  privilege  of  the  believer.  Some  of  the  largest 
churches  in  our  land  invited  him  to  their  pulpits,  and  would  gladly  have  call- 
ed him  as  their  pastor  at  double  the  salary  he  here  received.  Not  more  than 
four  weeks  before  his  death  his  name  was  mentioned  in  connection  with  a 
wealthy  church.  After  hearing  of  it  he  remarked  to  his  wife  that  there  was 
no  use  in  any  church  trying  to  get  him  away  from  the  University.  Here  he 
felt  was  his  work,  and  here  was  his  heart. 

In  the  spring  of  1879  he  received  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  It  was  a source  of  gratification  that 
his  own  Alma  Mater,  never  lavish  of  her  gifts,  had  thus  remembered  him. 
The  home  life  of  Dr.  Bower  was  so  connected  with  his  work  here  and  else- 
where, that  it  should  be  noticed  in  passing.  However  tender,  sympathetic, 
wise  in  counsel  and  courteous  he  was  to  outsiders,  these  attractive  qualities 
received  their  fullest  manifestation  in  his  own  home.  A more  devoted  son, 
brother,  husband  and  father  could  not  be  found.  How  beautiful  an  exempli- 
fication of  a Christian  home  did  his  present.  The  aged  mother,  verging  on  a 
century  of  life,  nursed  with  the  utmost  delicacy  and  thoughtfulness  of  at- 
tention ; the  sister,  wife  and  daughter  not  only  reciprocating  his  affection, 
but  aiding  him  in  every  possible  way  in  his  work.  That  home  was  one  en- 
deared to  you,  the  students  of  this  University,  by  the  many  acts  of  attention 
you  received  from  its  inmates  in  times  of  sickness,  and  of  aid  in  time  of  want ; 
and  with  your  grateful  remembrance  of  Dr.  Bower  will  always  be  entwined 


9 

that  of  his  wife,  sister  and  daugliter.  In  the  midst  of  his  work  in  this  Idii- 
versity,  and  in  the  zenitli  of  his  usefulness,  Dr.  Bower  was  attacked  With 
severe  illness  which  in  a few  days  terminated  his  life.  He  died  on  the  7th  of 
April,  1883,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age,  having  completed  twenty  nine  years 
of  active  work.  The  first  being  spent  as  a Teacher,  the  following  12  years  as 
Pastor,  and  the  concluding  16  as  Professor. 

As  regards  the  distinguishing  traits  of  Dr.  Bower’s  character,  I should 
place  first  his  firm,  unfaltering  faith.  This  was  the  underlying  spring  of  all 
his  actions.  He  carried  this  faith  into  every  department  of  his  life  work, 
believing  that  every  event  was  shaped  and  moulded  by  a Hand  which  never 
erred.  His  belief  in  the  power  of  prayer  was  as  trustful  as  a child’s.  His 
success  in  his  work  here  was  largely  owing  to  this  element  in  his  character. 
When  pressed  for  money  for  certain  students  he  would  not  merely  apply  to 
man,  but  earnestly  lay  the  case  before  God;  and  his  faith  anticipated  the 
answer.  He  would  often  at  such  times  say,  “It  will  be  all  right,  wait  ’till  the 
mail  comes  in.”  “Do  you  know  of  any  money  coming?”  would  be  asked; 
“no,  but  I expect  it.”  When  a letter  was  handed  him  he  would  exclaitn  — 
“that  has  a check  in  it !”  “From  whom?”  “I  don’t  know,”  he  would  say; 
but  when  according  to  his  firm  expectation  the  check  was  there,  he  would 

simply  say,  “didn’t  1 tell  you  so?  Now can  stay.”  Another  element  in 

his  character  was  purity.  He  was  remarkably  pure  in  his  motives;  hence  the 
utter  lack  of  selfishness,  hence  that  peculiar  care  for  the  interests  of  his 
friends,  which  made  every  one  appreciate  his  friendship.  He  was  pure  in  his 
affections  and  thoughts,  literally  obeying  the  divine  injunction,  “whatsoever 
things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely — think  on  these  things.” 
Hence  his  clear  conception  of  truth.  For  it  is  a fact,  that  the  purity  of  the 
soul  gauges  the  clearness  of  the  understanding.  Hence,  also,  the  heighth  of 
his  consecration,  for  he  had  “an  eye  single  to  the  glory  of  God.”  Hence  the 
true  greatness  of  the  man,  for  he  reflected  the  very  central  gloiy  of  the  divine 
image.  In  this  age,  when  the  greed  of  wealth,  the  lust  of  jjower,  the  strife 
for  self-aggrandizement  makes  us  sceptical  as  to  the  motives  of  so  called  phi- 
lanthrophists,  it  is  refreshing  to  find  a character  like  that  of  Dr.  Bower,  which 
can  submit  to  the  crucial  tests  of  Christianity,  as  applied  to  both  the  motive 
and  the  act,  the  intention  and  the  deed,  yea,  to  the  very  words  of  the  mouth 
and  meditations  of  the  heart,  and  yet  come  out  stamped  with  this  mark- 
pure.  Associated  with  this  element  in  his  character  was  another— Refine- 
ment. He  was  the  model  of  a Christian  gentleman.  His  tastes,  manners, 
and  conversation  fitted  him  for  association  with  the  truely  great.  I should 
place  as  the  crowning  trait  of  his  character— disinterested  affection  Dr. 
Bower  possessed  a large  heart,  and  it  would  require  a long  catalogue  to 
contain  the  names  of  his  sincere  friends.  Besides  his  home  relations  and 
those  to  the  students  of  this  University  (of  wdiich  I have  already  spoken), 
was  his  deep  affection  for  his  fellow  Professors  and  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
among  all  w^hom  he  himself  was  “a  brother  beloved”  There  was  not  a 
member  of  one  of  the  families  of  the  Professors  but  he  felt  a personal  interest 
in,  and  if  in  any  way  he  could  add  to  their  hj^ppiness,  he  was  always  at  their 
command.  Thus  was  beautifully  blended  in  his  character,  “Faith,  Hope, 
Charity,  but  the  greater  of  these”  was  his  “Charity.” 

In  thus  enumerating  the  varied  facts  in  Dr.  Bower’s  history,  I am  con- 
scious of  having  departed  from  a strict  unity  in  the  handling  of  the  theme, 
but  have  adopted  this  method  with  the  hope  that  by  the  letting  on  these 
varied  sidelights  the  character  of  the  man  would  come  out  in  bolder  relief. 


10 

There  is  liowever  a focus  to  which  all  these  different  rays  converge,  and 
which  will  form  the  concluding  part  of  this  discourse,  namely— the  character 
of  the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged.  That  work  was  pre-eminently  the 
elevation  of  his  race  His  race,  1 say,  because  if  we  profess  to  believe  in  the 
Bible,  we  ought  to  believe  in  “the  unity  of  the  race.”  The  time  had  come,  in 
the  Providence  of  God,  when  a large  part  of  the  human  race  had  been  lifted 
from  slavery  to  freedom  'i'he  first  step  in  that  elevation  required  a new  set 
of  workers,  the  last,  perha))s,  man  would  have  anticipated,  and  yet  the  result 
proved  the  very  ones  needed  for  the  issue.  For  if  a generation  of  warriors  had  not 
sprung  up  this  country  would  have  still  presented  the  contradiction  of  a nom- 
inally free  Bepublic,  yet  really  a house  of  bondage.  The  next  step  in  the 
elevation  of  that  race  required  leaders — men  who  should  adminster  the  affairs 
of  the  Republic  in  harmony  with  the  principles  of  true  freedom;  God  raised 
them  up— such  men  as  Lincoln  in  the  Presidential  chair,  Sumner  in  the 
Senate  and  Stevens  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  Chase  in  the 
Supreme  Com  t of  the  U.  S. 

But  the  time  must  come  when  this  portion  of  the  race  must  produce  its 
own  leaders— men  like  Moses  and  Aaron,  springing  from  the  very  portion  of 
the  race  which  needed  to  be  led  out  of  their  moral  and  intellectual  Egypt  to 
their  promised  Canaan.  There  was  a gap  here,  in  the  providence  of  God,  to 
fill,  and  there  was  only  one  class  of  men  that  could  fill  that  gap,  namely — 
educators.  The  time  is  not  far  distant  when  humanity  will  appreciate  the 
fact  that  side  by  side  with  the  names  of  Lincoln,  Sumner,  Stevens  and  other 
such,  must  be  written  the  names  of  the  educators  of  this  portion  of  our  race. 
Yea,  in  one  phase  of  the  subject,  the  educator  is‘the  greater  benefactor  of  the 
two;  for  great  as  was  the  work  of  Warrior,  President,  Statesman,  their  work 
in  freedom’s  cause  would  have  proved  fruitless,  if  the  shackles  had  been 
taken  off  the  body  and  yet  left  on  the  mind.  Yea,  we  can  go  a step  further 
and  assert  that  the  greatest,  truest  educators  of  this  portion  of  our  race,  are 
these  Christian  men  who  combine  the  instruction  of  its  mental  with  the 
training  of  its  moral  powers.  For,  even  if  the  body  is  freed  from  fetters  and 
the  mind  from  ignorance,  yet  if  the  heart  is  left  in  the  bondage  of  sin,  a man 
might  in  name  be  a free  American,yet,in  fact,  a slave  of  Satan.  For  has  not, 
he  “who  needed  not  that  any  should  testify  of  man,  for  He  knew  what  was 
in  man,”  has  He  not  said— “he  that  coinmitteth  sin,  is  the  servant  of  sin; 
but  if  the  Son  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed.” 

This  was  the  view  that  Dr.  Bower  took  of  the  necessities  of  the  work  for 
this  portion  of  the  race.  He  thought  they  needed  above  all  else  an  intelligent 
and  consecrated  ministry  ; and  to  help  toward  this  he  devoted  his  life.  A 
high  collegiate  training  he  regarded  as  accessory  and  helpful  to  this  ; and 
therefore  he  advocated  a thorough  course  in  Greek  and  Latin,  in  Mathemat- 
ics and  Natural  Science.  To  that  course  he  would  welcome  as  many,  who 
were  not  expecting  to  be  ministers,  as  could  avail  themselves  of  it  ; in  the 
conviction  that  ultimately  the  leaders  of  the  freedmen  would  be  of  themselves, 
and  that  their  competency  would  be  increased  by  bearing  company  with  the 
scholars  of  the  world.  In  adapting  this  course  to  the  freedmen  he  united 
with  the  authorities  of  this  University  in  arranging  that  they  should  have  the 
benefit  of  this  training,  without  waiting  until  they  could  pay  for  it,  or  until 
preparatory  schools  among  them  should  bring  it  within  their  reach.  He  aim- 
ed at  thoroughness  rather  than  quantity  ; a patient  method  rather  than  im- 
mediate results.  The  benefits  of  this  course  have  been  proved  by  the  efficiency 
of  the  men  who  have  gone  forth  from  this  University  during  the  last  sixteen 


11 

years  ; men  advanced  in  scholarship,  in  ability,  to  communicate  in  their  con- 
servatism of  all  that  is  good,  and  in  power  to  apply  their  higher  knowledge  to 
the  condition  of  the  ignorant  and  degraded.  From  this  high  standard  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  this  University  will  never  retrograde,  but  that  it  may  continue 
each  year  to  press  higher  and  higher. 

Here  then  we  find  the  focus  in  which  all  these  lights  on  the  character  of 
Dr.  Bower  concentrated,  and  bring  it  out  so  high  that  it  seems  bathed  with 
the  very  glory  of  Heaven.  A pure,  holy  man,  well  cultured,  well  balanced  in 
judgment,  far-seeing  in  his  expectations,  yet  conservative  in  his  hopes,  well 
equipped  for  life  ; dedicating  that  life  to  this  great  service,  the  education  of 
both  heart  and  mind  of  this  portion  of  his  race.  Doing  it  so  well  that  among 
those  that  were  his  pupils  are  to-day  men  doing  great  deeds  for  humanity  ; 
exerting  his  influence  so  widely  that  in  the  Northern  and  Southern,  the  East- 
ern and  Western  parts  of  this  land,  in  Africa  and  the  isles  of  the  sea,  are  the 
workers  who  have  been  trained  partly  by  himself  ; doing  it  so  self-sacrificing- 
ly  that  he  laid  his  means,  his  health,  and  perhaps  his  very  life  on  the  altar. 
It  has  been  said  of  John  Wesley  that  while  at  his  death  he  was  reckoned 
among  the  poorest  of  men  in  pocket,  yet  he  really  left  one  of  the  greatest 
legacies  ever  bequeathed,  namely  the  Methodist  Church.  It  may  be  said  of 
Edwin  R.  Bower  that  while  during  life  he  spent  his  whole  salary  in  main- 
taining his  work  for  Christ  and  his  race,  yet  he  left  one  of  the  greatest  lega- 
cies ever  bequeathed  by  man— his  share  in  the  building  up  of  Lincoln  Uni- 
versity. A few  weeks  ago  I read  in  one  of  our  religious  newspapers,  the  ac- 
count of  the  sailing  to  Africa,  as  a missionary,  of  a young  man,  one  of  ten 
who  came  to  this  country  to  be  educated  in  this  University.  Constantly  also 
in  the  South  I hear  of  men,  the  graduates  of  Lincoln,  who  are  taking  high 
positions  as  preachers,  physicians,  teachers,  lawyers  and  leaders.  These  are 
the  monuments  on  which  are  inscribed  in  letters  of  unfading  light,  the  record 
of  the  character  and  life  work  of  Dr.  Bower  ; and  as  through  the  character 
and  life  work  of  his  students  his  own  is  amplified  and  perpetuated,  his  influ- 
ence will  be  felt  and  his  memory  cherished  in  America  and  Africa. 

Young  men  of  Lincoln,  do  you  want  to  raise  a monument  to  his  memory 
that  shall  outlast  all  time  ? Then  emulate  his  example  and  improve  his  coun- 
sels. Remember  that  the  teacher  lives  over  again  in  the  taught.  The  better 
you  live,  the  nobler  you  act,  the  more  you  do  for  God  and  man,  the  more  hon- 
or do  you  reflect  on  his  memory.  Remember  that  the  source  of  his  greatness 
was  the  grace  of  God  ; the  secret  of  his  success,  Christian  principle.  If  you 
wish  to  be  fitted  for  the  noble  work  which  is  now  waiting  for  you  to  perform, 
yea  for  the  wide  fields  of  usefulness  that  are  loudly  calling  for  yon  to  fill, 
seek  your  first  preparation  at  the  foot  of  that  cross  at  which  he  knelt  in 
youth  ; where  flows  the  blood  which  can  alone  cleanse  from  sin,  and  the 
Spirit  which  can  alone  truly  enlighten  the  mind  ; thus  consecrated  to  Christ 
and  baptized  from  on  high,  go  forth  to  do  a work  for  humanity,  for  its 
freedom,  its  elevation,  its  enlightenment,  which  will  like  his,  cause  joy 
amid  the  ransomed  from  earth  and  the  very  angels  of  God  in  Heaven. 


f 


